Been looking at getting a hunting rifle. I decided I want a 30/30 Lever Action. I know there are a lot of different opinions regarding Lever Actions as hunters Vs this and that but thats what I want.
I just learned today the Model 94 is now made in Japan. So dissappointed. Guess I will look seriously at the Marlin 336.
I currently own an 80s model 94 but it is a commemorative rifle and never fired. I have it listed for sale but with this new info I probably should take it off the market for awhile

I'd also be very carful about getting a new marlin rifle. The new ones they are producing are absolute junk ever since remington took over the marlin factory. If you want a marlin go for an older one with a non remington serial #. The older ones are on a completely different level of quality.

If you compare my 80s version of the model 94 to what I handled today? Granted I have never fire mine but just the fit and feel. Absolutely sub-par. Part of the reason I want a Lever Action is because of the History. Made In Japan takes away from that.
I am getting a late start with Hunting as I am Middle Aged but I want to start out with a Lever Action and Iron Sites like our Fore Fathers

I'd rather get something made by Miroku instead of Freedom Group affiliated junk.

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"...and an old German guy said there was a bit of an unsaid joke about the Nazi salute; apparently when they clicked their heels and raised their arm up in the air in a Nazi salute, they were saying, "we're in this much s___."

"...and an old German guy said there was a bit of an unsaid joke about the Nazi salute; apparently when they clicked their heels and raised their arm up in the air in a Nazi salute, they were saying, "we're in this much s___."

I remember shortly after joining the Navy getting my first microeconomics lesson. It was the early 80's and Japan was kicking our asses in the automotive arena. I was ragging on all the "Jap" cars to my fellow sailors (I was born in Detroit and grew up steeped in Motor City Muscle). After I had gone on for 10 minutes or so, one of my shipmates asked me:

Quote:

"Rorge, let's say you make a product, a product that at one time was a good product, but now it's just total crap. Let's also say that people keep buying your product even though it's crap, just like they did when it was good. Tell me, what incentive is there for you to improve your product? Why change? Why bother?"

This guy had me. It wasn't long before I realized that I would actually be doing a disservice to my country by buying American, when American products were crap. I had a responsibility to buy the best products - Japanese or otherwise - so that those producing inferior products (at the time, Ford, Chevy, and Chrysler) would take notice, and start making products of their own worthy of purchase.

I dont think Winchester 101's were ever produced at the Miroku plant they all came from Kodensa,Nikko, and the newer cheaper ones are from a plant affiliated with Winchester in Portugal and the todays models come from Belgium so they say? I have heard some early came from Belgium as well but cant verify it.. I'm sure maybe some parts or some smithing could have been done in Utah?

Miroku makes a great rifle. Better than the garbage Remington has been putting out for a while.

I compared the Browning model 65 side by side to an original Winchester model 65. They were both superb craftsmanship. In fact, the Miroku wood to metal fit was better than the original Winchester. Miroku knows how to make some nice firearms.

Been looking at getting a hunting rifle. I decided I want a 30/30 Lever Action. I know there are a lot of different opinions regarding Lever Actions as hunters Vs this and that but thats what I want.

I just learned today the Model 94 is now made in Japan. So dissappointed. Guess I will look seriously at the Marlin 336.

I currently own an 80s model 94 but it is a commemorative rifle and never fired. I have it listed for sale but with this new info I probably should take it off the market for awhile

I have a fair number of Japanese made Winchesters and "Marlin made" Marlins. The Japanese made Winchesters are excellent rifles and have been so for many years. I'm picking up a "made in Japan" Browning "Winchester" 52 and it's one of the nicest 22s out there.

If you aren't buying a Winchester based on quality I'd say that concern is misplaced. Not buying a Japanese Winchester based on quality but instead picking up a newly made Marlin is like turning down a date with Halle Berry asserting she's ugly - then going out with Roseanne ...

If you're not buying to make a political statement that's a different call.

BTW, having handled lots of the new "Remlin" lever action rifles coming out of Ilion, NY I'd suggest buying an older 336. Lousy wood finish, sub-standard bluing, buggered screw heads and overall poor fitting is what I see on these new rifles. I wouldn't buy a new Marlin at half the price.

If you compare my 80s version of the model 94 to what I handled today? Granted I have never fire mine but just the fit and feel. Absolutely sub-par. Part of the reason I want a Lever Action is because of the History. Made In Japan takes away from that.
I am getting a late start with Hunting as I am Middle Aged but I want to start out with a Lever Action and Iron Sites like our Fore Fathers

Actually, our (meaning American... not my) forefathers waged war on these shores with British Brown Bess muskets.

But as to firearm production being outsourced, I suppose that yes, it does take something away from the nostalgic value of the rifle. Does that make the quality of the rifle any worse? Of course not.

Almost everything nowadays (domestic or imported) see very little by way of hand fitting anymore. Look at the price of a Les Baer or Ed Brown in comparison to a Springfield Armory or Kimber. You're paying for that extra work.

If Miroku (or Winchester) were to put that much work into each one of their rifles, you'd be looking at similar pricing for their rifles.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RugerNo1

FNH Belgium makes Winchester and Browning shotguns.

Absolutely. FNH make's Winchester's autos, the pumps are made in Turkey, and their O/Us are/were made by Miroku. Their rifles are also made in both Turkey and Japan. I don't know what Winchester actually manufactures anymore.

If the OP wants something made by Winchester in the U.S., he's got to be looking at something vintage.

Actually just shot a 1943 marlin 30/30 lever action yesterday... What a ton of fun... 80 yards and hitting 6" Gong... Shoulder is a little bruised but what a blast.

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All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.
-Edmund Burke
I'd much rather go to my grave never needing my gun, than go there wishing I had it.
- Phil Dalmolin

Actually, our (meaning American... not my) forefathers waged war on these shores with British Brown Bess muskets.

And French Lots of those on both sides of the Civil War too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrippledPidgeon

But as to firearm production being outsourced, I suppose that yes, it does take something away from the nostalgic value of the rifle. Does that make the quality of the rifle any worse? Of course not.

Almost everything nowadays (domestic or imported) see very little by way of hand fitting anymore. Look at the price of a Les Baer or Ed Brown in comparison to a Springfield Armory or Kimber. You're paying for that extra work.

If Miroku (or Winchester) were to put that much work into each one of their rifles, you'd be looking at similar pricing for their rifles.

Absolutely. FNH make's Winchester's autos, the pumps are made in Turkey, and their O/Us are/were made by Miroku. Their rifles are also made in both Turkey and Japan. I don't know what Winchester actually manufactures anymore.

If the OP wants something made by Winchester in the U.S., he's got to be looking at something vintage.

Exactly. I understand the nostalgia factor, and in that case, look at older firearms. But quality-wise, there is nothing wrong with Miroku-made firearms.

Been looking at getting a hunting rifle. I decided I want a 30/30 Lever Action. I know there are a lot of different opinions regarding Lever Actions as hunters Vs this and that but thats what I want.
I just learned today the Model 94 is now made in Japan. So dissappointed. Guess I will look seriously at the Marlin 336.
I currently own an 80s model 94 but it is a commemorative rifle and never fired. I have it listed for sale but with this new info I probably should take it off the market for awhile

They have been making them in Japan for a number of years, it's nothing new.

Japan
Citori, Cynergy, BLR Lightweight, BLR Lightweight '81, A-Bolt II, X-Bolt, BT-99, BL-22 Rifle, Auto-22 Rifle, T-Bolt, BPS (all), and Gold 10 ga. (production for these firearms have been at the Miroku factory in Japan starting with the BT-99 in the late 1960s. In 1970 the over and under Citori (made by Miroku) would gradually replace John M. Browning’s Superposed model as the the key product in the Browning line. In about 1973 the Browning Pump Shotgun (BPS) began production at the Miroku factory, and in 1976 the legendary Auto-5 shotgun would move from Belgium factories to Miroku, in Japan. The others followed as they were introduced.

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"Thou shalt not interfere with the Second Amendment rights of "law-abiding" citizens who want AK-47s only to protect hearth and home." - Paul Helmke finally gets it :)

Henry is an american classic that has been around since the days of the old west. As long as you dont mind the loading system being from under the tube rather than a loading gate i would go with that.

You could get a used Marlin marlin from a few years back, the new ones from Remington have gotten mixed reviews. Some swear they are worse, others swear they are the same.

The Henry rifles are made in the states, but they're not the same as the original 1860 Henry Rifle. They look somewhat similar, but operate very differently. Pretty much the only company making proper Henry reproductions is Uberti.